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Sunday, December 27, 2015

The only store-bought item on my list. Couldn't find them
this year. Had to dig out the stash I buried in the cabinet. I like anything
peppermint. These candies have a Christmas tree in the middle. For Valentine's,
a heart. Maybe stores will sell them in February.

Two: Mom's cranberry relish

As a child, I never ate it, but after my sister Brenda
served it one time at Thanksgiving, because she knew our nephew Michael liked
it, I tried some. Now I make it for my family. My little nephew-in-law Wesley
couldn't get enough of it one year for Thanksgiving at my mother-in-law's. It's
quite a sight when I make it though. I have to stand on a chair to smash it
down into the attachment to the mixer. Nothing makes me feel short like that
does.

Three: peanut blossom cookies

The ones with the chocolate kiss on top made with a bit of
cream peanut butter. I prefer Mrs. Elmer Hofer's recipe in the old Hutterthal
Church cookbook that Mom gave me when I moved out on my own. I'll be making my
second batch of these during Christmas break.

Four: fudge

Simple ingredients from Laura Goosen's recipe. She
was our pastor's wife when I was an elementary student. Wrote about her famous
bun recipe here. I have to freeze this fudge it to cut it otherwise it's too
gooey. One small piece satisfies me for hours.

Five: cheese ball

Mom's recipe with pimentos. Son-in-law Nate
almost ate half of it in one setting the other day he liked it so much. My
niece-in-law Amy in South Dakota loves it when I make this at Christmas time.

Six: Mom's fruitcake

Yes. Fruitcake. I make it every year for my
seventh graders. because of "A Christmas Memory," a short story we
study by Truman Capote. Kids gag, spit it out, eat it fast to get it over with.
I tell them it's okay, they don't have to like it, and that they won't hurt my
feelings.

But many do the opposite and come back for more at the end of the
day. Past students hear I've brought it again and pop in for leftovers. And
teachers peek in to say, "If you have enough, may I please have a
piece?" And of course, I oblige. This too is my mom's recipe in that old
church cookbook.

What I didn't list

Notice I didn't say sugar cookies? I do enjoy the
melt-in-your-mouth ones made by my friend Paula Voth, but I cannot make them.
My husband and step-daughter Brittany joke that I'm not good at making the
simple things: mac and cheese from a box, eggs, pancakes—so it doesn't surprise
me that I can't make these.

Mom couldn't make them either, but that didn't stop my Kansas
sister Brenda and me from trying sugar cookies one holiday season. We took them
home to the family in South Dakota. People didn't seem interested in eating a
Christmas stocking that looked like a cowboy boot, so they got dumped to the
hogs.

I also enjoy homemade caramel, but this too, Mom and I
couldn't master. Janice Peterson, the mother of my childhood friend and
classmate Adele, made incredible caramel. I have the recipe in a classroom
cookbook from third grade. Each of us brought family recipes for Mrs. Gilchrist
to organize in a cookbook that we gave to our moms for Christmas. I need to
find that thing and try the caramels again.

Soon holiday celebrations will cease and so will the treat
making. No. Wait. Valentine's Day brings more of the same. I'll make more
fudge. And peanut blossom cookies. And look for the peppermint chew candies in
the stores. Then after that, it's Easter. Oh, how I love solid chocolate bunnies! And
peeps. And candy message hearts. And Russell Stovers.Oh, how my sweet tooth rules. I have a mouth full of
cavities, capped teeth, and an implant to show for it too—but that's due to not
brushing my teeth when I was little and lying to Mom about it.

What are your favorite holiday treats? Which ones are the
must-makes? Which ones belong in the hog pen? Are there some holiday treats you
make all year round?

Saturday, December 19, 2015

I asked my seventh grade students about the worst present
they've ever received at Christmas time. The discussion came up while reading my favorite tear-jerker holiday story, "A Christmas Memory" by Truman Capote.

Responses: a phone book, a sack of dog poop, a gift
card with $1 on it. Not the greatest of Christmas gifts.

After hearing those, my worst-present-ever story isn't so
bad, but I'm going to tell it anyway. Not out of ingratitude, out of humor.

I'd asked for typewriter one year because I loved to type. I had the
"every good man must come to the aid of his country" phrase down. Piano
playing from age eight came in handy when typing. After counting my errors on an exercise one day, I had typed 90-some words a minute in Mrs. Zieman's business class at HHS.

So, I wanted a typewriter. Bad. Begged for one. Really begged.I knew that's what was in the rectangular heavy box under the
tree when I was a young high school student.

To my dismay, that's not what was in it. No modern Smith Corona for me.

It was an electronic foot soaker.My dad's idea.

Grandma Katie, my mom's mom who'd lived with us when I was younger, frequently soaked her feet in a tub of sudsy
hot water. I would do it too. Read more about Grandma Katie here.Long after Grandma was out of the house, I still soaked my feet. In fact, I still do it today. It's especiallyrelaxing with a cup of
hot tea, a dog or two, and a good book or the remote tuned to the Lifetime Movie Channel.

With the foot soaker gift, my observant father believed he was giving me, his teenage
daughter, a present she'd appreciate, but the snotty only used it once. Mom was scared I'd electrocute
myself.

So that was my worst Christmas present ever.

I did end up getting a typewriter—maybe for my birthday that
summer—and in typical Dad-fashion, it was the Cadillac of typewriters.He
tends to go overboard on things. Gets the deluxe version when the typical will
do. I married a man just like him. I'm lucky, but I admit, the unappreciative girl comes out in me sometimes.

My best Christmas present? If we're taking about material things,
I'm not sure I have one.
But the best present was Jesus Christ whose birth is
celebrated by Christians around the world. I call Him Savior. He is the one still shaping this girl into the woman He wants her to be.

And with that I say, Merry Christmas!

How about you? Want to reveal your least favorite Christmas
present? Who was it from? Why did they give it to you? Or, maybe you want to
share the worse gift you've ever given.

Saturday, December 12, 2015

My
niece Colleen shares her December 8th birthday with her husband Jason. He's a
Nebraska State Trooper, and for the last couple of years, she's been a
school secretary.They live in Norfolk, Nebraska, with their three
daughters and their dog named Copper.The
two met in Omaha while attending Grace University. After 16 years of
marriage, this couple is physically fit and financially responsible.

I
thought it'd be interesting for them to share their lives with the
readers of the blog, so I interviewed them about their occupations and
interests.Click here for Part 1.

Last week Jason shared how he'd impacted a man's life. Now for a person that impacted him.

Here's a photo that I took with a young girl while walking through a local carnival one night.A little girl walked up to
me and asked, “Will you take a picture with me?”My reply was, “Of
course, sweetie.”

Her mother posted this comment and picture
that night:

“This is my daughter, Faith, at the Carnival tonight here in
Norfolk. We have taught our daughter to respect our local law
enforcement. That they are here to keep us safe and to protect us. They
should not be feared. Her smile reflects all that we have instilled in
her and will continue to do so. What was really cool? She asked to take a
picture with him! Such a sweet man. Nebraska's Finest! Stay Safe,
Blue!”

This
photo hit 1,000 likes in a week on Facebook. It captured many
thoughts and comments and led to multiple discussions about law
enforcement and their relationship with the public.

This
was my reply and share:

"Got my picture taken with this sweet young
lady tonight. In light of so much turmoil in our nation with law
enforcement, this little girl reminds us the type of relationships that
we can have with trust, respect, and confidence for each other.”

These
are just a few instances of how rewarding my career in law enforcement
has been. I am thankful to be serving the citizens of our
great state Nebraska.

What have you taught your daughters about your weapons?

I have carried weapons for over 13 years and my girls
have never asked me if they could see my gun. They understand that guns are
dangerous and require great responsibility and training to carry or use. They
believe the gun on my belt is for my own safety or for the safety and well-being of those I have sworn to protect.

It’s not complicated with my girls. They have never shown interest or desired to shoot, and I am okay with
that. It just does not register in their
world. Their life is already full of band/orchestra, athletics, academics, church,
friends, and family. I would like to take them out and shoot someday but
we aren't in a hurry.

As the wife of a trooper, Co, how would you ask people to
pray for you, Jason, and the girls?

As a wife I always pray that God would keep
Jason safe. I try not to dwell on the ongoing issues and try not to focus on
the “what ifs.” I pray that God would help him to make wise decisions and to
know how to talk to people in a way that would not escalate the situation.

If
Jason is safe, that keeps the girls and me safe. So I guess for the girls and
me, our prayer request would be that we would just trust God with Jason and
help us to know that God has our best interests at heart and in mind. And
whatever happens, God will take care of us.

Sometimes I’ll wake up in the
middle of the night, and Jason won’t be home from work when he should have been. I
usually say a quick prayer before trying to go back to sleep.

Any challenges or difficulties of being the
school secretary in your child's public school? What do the girls think about
it?

I haven’t found anything challenging or difficult about
being the secretary at their school. I love it and knowing they are there
with me even if I don’t see them except when they pass by. The only thing would
be trying to separate or distinguish from being a parent in the Parent Group
and being an employee and trying not to take on too many responsibilities.The
girls seem to love it because if they need something or something happened I am
right there to help them with it. I only have one daughter left with me and she
has 1 1/2 years left there.

What got you two interesting in the concepts Dave Ramsey
teaches? What was going on in your life at the time you started the baby steps?
Explain your role in teaching others (if you have one).

We had justpaid off our van and were going through
the same vicious cycle about filling up our credit card and then paying it off
each month.Towards the end of the month we would run out of money
and just keep putting it on our credit card for the next month and then pay it
off when pay day came.

It seemed we always had more month than money at the end
of the month. It was frustrating. We never paid interest on our cards and
always paid it off, but it was like we were always a month behind. We just
wanted to catch up so we wouldn’t have to use the credit card.

Once we went
through the class and took it to heart and did the steps, it has been amazing.
It has made a drastic change in our marriage. There have not been money issues
since really. We do our budget each month together. We stick to it and have the
same goals, so it is wonderful.

We have facilitated Financial Peace University for four
years, putting 80-plus families through. We are looking at doing another class
in January of 2016. It’s awesome helping people with the same issues we had and
seeing them getting out of debt and getting their financial lives in order.

This is no doubt one of the most important issues in
marriage. Jesus talked about money, stewardship, and possessions more than any
other teaching. Two-thirds of His parables cover this important issue and the
Bible contains over 2000 verses about it. If it is important to God, then it
should be important to us.

Benjamin Franklin once said, “When you run into debt, you
give to another power over your liberty.” That sounds a lot like Proverbs 22:7
which says, “The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower becomes the
lender’s slave.”

Advice for young couples trying to stay physically fit?
Any tips or suggestions for workouts?

We love staying in shape because it just makes us feel
better about ourselves and our outlook on life. It keeps us healthy. We
want to be able to play with the girls and keep up with them, although now,
Leah [their eldest daughter] is faster than us.

It’s just easier sometimes for us to
work out at home since the girls are there, but sometimes we like to change it
up. It is hard to get workouts in though when the girls each have activities in
the evenings that we need to get them to, so sometimes I just have to look at
the week and schedule it in.

Jason and I walk or run together as
often as we can, sometimes twice a day in the summer, when it’s nice out. If he's not around,I usually try and run outside or go to the Y and do
a class there or do Insanity videos at home. Jason likes to go to the Y to
workout or do TapOut videos at home.

What's the weirdest thing you two have done to celebrate
your December 8th birthday?

Nothing too weird. We don’t
usually buy each other gifts. We just go out to eat.
Nothing huge, but if it gets me out of cooking, it works for me.

Saturday, December 5, 2015

My niece Colleen shares her birthday with her husband Jason. He's a Nebraska State Trooper, and for the last couple of years, she's been a school secretary. They live in Norfolk, Nebraska, with their three daughters and their dog named Copper. The two met in Omaha while attending Grace University. After 16 years of marriage, this couple is physically fit and financially responsible. I thought it'd be interesting for them to share their lives with the readers of the blog, so I interviewed them about their occupations and interests. This is Part 1. Part 2 will run next week. As a state trooper, Jason, you've competed at the national level for vehicle inspection. What all does that entail? Describe the highest level of recognition earned for this.

I was privileged and honored to represent the Nebraska State Patrol in the 2006, 2007, and 2009 North American Inspector’s Championships in New Orleans, Minneapolis, and Pittsburgh. I competed at the state level, placing first place, and then moving on to the National competition in these cities. My best placement overall was 14th in the Nation. The competition consists of a personal interview, hazardous materials table top exercise, a level one inspection, motor coach inspection, and a cargo tank inspection.

What's the toughest part about being in law enforcement today?

Where do I start? You work nights, weekends, and holidays in law enforcement just like those in the healthcare field and fire/rescue. I respond to bad situations such as tornadoes, floods and, fatality crashes. Overall, I feel the schedule can be most challenging and demanding especially when you have a growing family with spouses that work. For the first 10 years of our child rearing, Colleen was able to stay home--which we loved. Money was tight but we tried to live within our means on a written budget. I would not have traded it for anything.

Having a supportive spouse as I do, minimizes the tough schedule at times of working early, working late, changing days off, and being gone for training for days at a time. I absolutely love what I do!

The key to all of this in our family is communication. With communication, everybody is on the same page and plays by the same schedule. We can make arrangements and adjustments accordingly and not on a whim which usually leads to frustration and complications in the breakdown of communication. Colleen tries to keep up with my schedule, and I attempt to keep up with hers. We are both committed in our relationship to each other and to our girls.

Another tough part is the unknown of my career. I pray daily that God would give me great discretion and judgment in my interactions with people and in both good and bad situations.

I have gone hands-on with people. I have intentionally disabled cars with police maneuvers. I have arrested subjects for numerous offenses. I take my job and oath very seriously and am always cognizant of the great responsibility and authority given to me by God and the citizens that I serve.

Officer Jason Petty

As a young trooper, I would say a “policeman’s prayer” which I prayed religiously for many years before I started every shift. I believe now it’s not only the words that I speak to God but the meditation of my heart to Him that I strive for today. I believe God is with me if I say a wordy prayer or not. He has promised to never leave me nor forsake me, and His presence is with me wherever I go and whatever I do. My prayers now are pretty basic such as, “keep me safe” and “give me great discernment.”

I do covet and am thankful for the prayers of those committed to pray for me on a regular basis.

Law enforcement now days has gotten a bad rap in the press—even in the Midwest. What's the most positive experience you've encountered in the last couple years?

I meet and talk with more people in one day than some do in a month. I am afraid my list of positive experiences with these people would exceed this blog! I meet people in their worst times or moments which can affect the rest of their lives negatively or positively.

For example, nearly six years ago, I was working traffic around the same time as today, November 24, in 2009. I clocked a vehicle at a high rate of speed who I turned on and the chase was on. The vehicle tried to elude me by pulling into a long driveway that led to a farm house. I continued up the road past the house where I observed a man running away from his vehicle. The man was apprehended and arrested for numerous charges including third offense DUI.

Fast forward six years. I pulled this same man over who I recognized right away. Conversation led to him being arrested that day. The man finally realized it was me and jokingly said, “So you are the little **** that caught me.”

The man then said something I will never forget, “You saved my life that day.”

This man was a chronic alcoholic and went into treatment after being released from jail. A man—whose marriage, family, and body were suffering the consequences of years of alcohol use and abuse—had found serenity and healing.

Most times, you never know the impact that you make on people’s lives, but every once in a while, you get to find out.

Thursday, November 26, 2015

The 1970s don't get enough credit, so I'm here again this Thanksgiving to point out some of my childhood favorites. To read last year's piece, click here.

My Room Decor

graphic from http://mama-ilse.typepad.com

When Grandma Katie was put in the nursing home, Mom redecorated the downstairs bedroom for me. Dad purchased a single bed from an auction at neighbor Pauly Walter's. Read about him here and read about Grandma Katie here.

Mom bought a Holly Hobbie bedspread and matching window shades. This was the first bedroom that I remember calling mine. Prior to that, I slept in the living room. A crib was in there, and when I got older, I slept on the pull-out love seat because I was too chicken to sleep alone upstairs.

It was in this decorated room that I developed my fear of lightning storms and Big Foot. Long story. My First Record Album

picture from http://www.denverpost.com

I bought a 45 of the Carpenter's "Top
of the World" hit at the Ben Franklin store in Huron one Saturday morning. Mom had given me two bucks spending money while she got her hair done.

A few years ago, I bought a Carpenter's greatest hits album and loaded it on my iPod.When I played the song in preparation for this post, I remembered almost
every word.

If someone had told me to write down the lyrics, I'm not sure I could have. But thememories flooded back upon hearing the music.Funny how the brain works.Click here
to hear thelyrics.

For those that don't know, the brother-sister duo of Richard and Karen Carpenter were
known for the harmonic tunes. Karen Carpenter died in 1983 with
complications due to anorexia. Read more about that here and here. It was during the 80s, my high school years, when eating disorders became a topic of public concern. The Denver Post ran a book review piece about the Karen Carpenter story. Click here to read it.A Candy My Family Liked

picture from https://s-media

The combination of chocolate and caramel was found in a Rothchild's nugget. The tasty tidbit is similar to a Rolo.

The company's marketing campaign including a silly saying performed in a British accent. Click here and here for a couple of those commercials. I know, corny, but catchy.

My dad and brother Elliott would often repeat the famous line, "Not now, I'm right in the middle of a Rothchild's" to anyone they talked to. They even answered the phone that way sometimes. Read more about my brother's antics here.

The Rothchild's saying lightened anyone's mood. I wish this candy was still around. Don't know what happened to it. Or the Marathon Bar. Or Freshen-Up gum. Or Melody Pops, the sucker with a whistle.A Favorite Saturday Morning Show

picture from http://www.sheknows.com

The time travel show, "The Land of the Lost," started in the 70s, not the early 90s when Hollywood attempted a re-make. I never watched it; maybe I should have. Watch a trailer of the 1970s version here.

The graphics? My goodness. So fake. But back then I didn't care. I liked the story line, or should I say, the older brother.

The music? Too upbeat for what happened to this family.

My husband Chris says the Sleestak creatures still give him the creeps. You can see the critters here in the entire first episode.

What memories do you have of these 70s icons? For my younger readers, feel free to critique my child-of-the-70s favorites.

Sunday, November 22, 2015

The holiday season brings travel for many of us that require a stay in a hotel. I prefer Holiday Inn Express for their breakfasts, workout rooms, and overall service. But I still have a few pet peeves. Some due to my own quirkiness. Enjoy.

OneBed sheets are tucked in military style. My toes and feet prefer freedom, so I go around the bed and pull up the sheets and blankets before I even hop in.

TwoMirror with no table in front of it. I can't put on make-up by it then, and I don't use the bathroom mirror because it's too steamy if someone has showered. The light in there is too bright anyway. Yes, you read that correctly. If the lighting is too good, I'll start picking zits, a bad-bad habit. Girls at college would tell me, "I never picked zits or split end until I met you!" I'm so over that, but now, due to my age, I look for facial hair—especially those little black whiskers that feel like they're an inch long.

ThreeThe heat and air. Hard to regulate. And sometimes there's a clicking noise.

FourNo noise. We sleep with the soothing hum of a floor fan at home, so we run the air fan in the bathroom or turn on the manual fan on the heat and air unit. Without that running, if it's too quiet at night, I hear every creak. Or door opening. Or toilet flushing. Even if hotel guests are a bit noisy, the low hum of a fan will drown out the sounds—if the dreaded clicking sound doesn't emerge.

FiveLack of towels. I want three. One for hair and face. Another for body. One for my pillow—to catch the drool and soak up my wet hair. Front desk personnel seem perplexed whenever I ask for more.

A True StoryRecently, the place didn't have any extra towels. All used up in the pool area. Guess what they gave us? The extra bath mats. Kind of stiff for a towel.

I can't remember where that happened. Maybe it was the hotel in Effingham, Illinois. Yes, that is the name of the place. We were on our way to Ohio to visit Lawrence and Tammy, Chris' brother and his wife. It took us an hour and half and nearly ten stops in three different large towns to find a hotel in the middle of July 2014. The hotels were booked. All due to a bagel festival.

Sunday, November 8, 2015

Veteran's Day is special in my family, but not for the usual reason. It's my brother Elliott's birthday.

He was college-aged by the time I was born. And my sisters were young teenagers.

When he moved home to farm with Dad in April 1971, he lived less than two miles away from the home place. I was 5-years-old then.

Elliott is the one sibling who saw me almost every day of my growing up years—unlike my sisters who came and went throughout their adult years.

May Elliott's wife, five children, and thirteen grandchildren enjoy these memories from his three little sisters.

Tidbits from Childhood

Priscilla's said

Elliott kept the Sunday bulletins. He stored them in cigar boxes in his bedroom. He collected the eraser end of pencils. He drowned out gophers by pouring buckets of water down the hole.

Brenda said

When Mom & Dad would leave us kids home alone for a few hours, Elliott and I tended to pick on Priscilla, the middle child. Guess we got away with it because she never fought back.

Melodie said

My earliest memory of Elliott is when he and his fiance came
home and gave me a doll. I have no memories of Elliott without Doris, his wife.
I turned four a few days before their wedding. I wrote about that in this post.

Doris and I were in a roll-over car accident before they had
any children. As Dad made phone calls to authorities about it, Doris cooked
lunch, and I sat in Elliott's lap with my arms wrapped around his neck. I can
still see our reflection in the glass of the china closet in the dining room.

That's the tender moment I remember with my brother, 20 years my senior. Soon
after he had his own children to provide affection to.

I would drive the small tractor, and as I slowly drove past each bale in the field, he would use two hooks to hoist those heavy alfalfa bales onto a flat wooden pallet of sorts called the stone boat. Strange name, but Dad confirmed that's what they called it. After a full load, the bales were placed on a conveyor and sent put into the barn loft. Elliott worked up a sweat stacking those heavy bales.

Priscilla said

I would drive the tractor when we made bales. When, not if, I would plug the baler, the bale hook Elliott had in his hand would go into the air. I don't remember what he would yell.

Melodie said

Itoo havehave memories of Elliott's yelling at the hogs or cattle. He never cussed. Never. Instead, he made up his own crazy words when he was mad—especially at the hogs. Things like, "You stupid, flyswatter, snot-driven, pan of no-good slime." That wasn't exactly what he said, but it would be crazy nonsense like that.

At top: Elliott's birthday in 1971 with me on his lap. Bottom: Elliott in July 2015.

A Numbers Guy

Brenda said

Elliott was and is such a math wiz. He'd try to help me, but I think he had a hard time coming down to my level of understanding.

Melodie said

I earned good grades in high school algebra and geometry because Elliott and Dad would take turns yelling at me. I say that light-hardheartedly because they both just talked loud. I'd hear, "It's just like the other problem. Do the same thing!”

Or if a new concept emerged, Elliott would say, "Do it like the teacher did in class? He showed you, didn't he?" And yes, Mr. Frank Podraza showed us.

the family, long before me (not sure who the fella is in the back)

Games

Melodie said

Playing Scrabble with Elliott is a maddening endeavor. He uses words that no one knows and is able to put them going vertically and horizontally—and they all match up as words!

Elliott has always been academic minded. He's well-read, loves a pun and a play-of-words. Mom was always proud of her son who could tell a joke and never ruin the punchline.

Do your siblings have any quirky childhood collections like my brother? Any games you avoid with them because they are too good?

Friday, October 30, 2015

It's Halloween. Time to admit what scares me: nighttime driving on the gravel road directly south of my dad's farm. Here's the reason.

I was in the backseat dozing after a Sunday evening in town with Mom and Dad. We'd often go in to visit relatives or to hear my sister Priscilla sing in "The Power and Light," a Christian singing group from the Huron Mission Church that performed in the Lewis Drug parking lot. I heard footsteps on gravel and Dad asking someone if he needed help. The voice grunted a reply.

Dad returned to the car with a report. "He's lost, but he said to leave him alone. Doesn't want any help."Our car lights shined on a lug wrench in the middle of the road and an open trunk as Dad drove on the shoulder to get by the vehicle. It was dark already, so I didn't see the man.

But I sure did that night in my dreams and every time I woke up because I had heard Dad say the fella's name and that the guy was drunk.

This man lived a few miles from our place, and he was obviously confused, so my pre-teen brain imagined him getting passed our dog and mistaking our house for his and yelling his daughter's name up the stairway to me. And when I wouldn't come, he'd drag me down thinking I was his disobedient daughter and beat me up. I never dreamed or imagined my parents intervening, or our dog taking care of him. A child's imagination and fears are not rational to adults. But this adult still refuses to drive down that road at night. I go the long way around.

What incident stands out as a scary memory that impacts your behavior now? Do your child's fears change your routine?

Sunday, October 25, 2015

To recognize nine years of marriage this past October 21, I reflect on what's made my first-married-at-forty marriage work.

One

Do simple things together. Take a walk. Share a hobby. Go shopping. Eat meals together. We pick a series on Netflix or on television
and watch it faithfully. It's a free date if you're at home and your hubby
likes your cooking, but don't talk too much during the show. I tend to do that. Chris figures stuff out and gives it away. He's got bruises on his arm from his daughter Brittany for doing that.

Two

Make desserts for no reason. My mom only made cakes for special events, so I
don't know how I figured out this one. My husband and I both have a sweet tooth.

Three

Let him have his money and you have yours. I know, very
non-Dave Ramsey. But when two people get married at 40, this is one thing you
don't want to argue about.

Early in our marriage, I got Chris to agree that if we
spent more than $200 on anything other than food or clothing, that the other person should be consulted first. This came about after he walked out of Best Buy and told me that my
birthday present to him would be to pay for half of a camera that he just
bought. I did it, but that didn't go over too well with me, thus came the rule.

FourEach spouse needs and deserves a hobby that doesn't involve
the other person. You can support each other and agree to help finance it, but
let the person enjoy it. Making one feel guilty about it will only lead to
resentment.

I learned this the hard way when I accused Chris of loving
landscaping more than spending time with me. I'm so over that. And now I have
a nice backyard to enjoy. A hobby makes life better and makes work time
more enjoyable because you've gotten to do something fun during the off-hours.

I enjoy going with Chris on his photo shoots once in awhile, but I don't like to
go every time. In return, he's hauled me to a writing event in Kansas City and
will do so again soon. View the hobby as that person's outlet—not as a way to be away from you.

FiveHave a sense of humor. This is why I fell in love with Chris to begin with. He made me laugh. He can usually get me out of a funk when I'm a grump.

Six

Keep short accounts. Say I'm sorry but more importantly, ask for forgiveness.
And say it again. Even if you think the other person never says it. I know, it's hard not to keep track.

Seven

Ask first when doing something out of the ordinary
regarding your hobby. Sometimes your spouse can point out a concern you don't
see. It's not to hurt you. It's to protect you.

Eight

Attend each others' family events. Know that the time
together won't be like the time at your family's. At my brother Elliott's
place, we always play table games and get competitive. At my
mother-in-law's, we visit, eat, read, watch television, and play on our devices. That's just the way it is, and it doesn't bother a soul. The point is that we are with Mom. It took me a couple Thanksgivings to understand this is how the Harris clan operates.

Nine

Greet with a kiss and leave with a kiss. A little peck will
do just fine. When departing, always say I love you. Let your children see
and hear this. I saw my parents kiss only a couple of times in my life. Different generation, I
guess. It warms my heart when I hear and see my step-daughter Brittany do this with her husband Nathaniel.

Closing ThoughtsI know my friends thought I was nuts to get engaged to a guy I only knew for two weeks—let alone a guy I met on the Internet, and I wouldn't advise it for younger people. Ironically, my family never questioned me once—at least not to my face. But I think everyone that knows Chris would agree that I done good.

Took me long enough, but I done good.

What makes your relationships or friendships last? How do you manage the give and take? Anything you've learned the hard way?

Saturday, October 10, 2015

I was destined to be a Tabor College Bluejay. This picture of me from the '70s proves it. That shirt ended up in the rag drawer after I wore it out. It cleaned glass and mirrors. Another favorite childhood top was one of those "happiness is" t-shirts that bore my dog's name. I was already in high school when Hitchcock Boy became my puppy, but Mom and Dad ordered a toddler sized shirt, so I never got to wear it. I know, Hitchcock Boy is a long name for a dog.

My sister and her husband Rick lived near Bridgewater—some two hours away. Their dog, Rambunctious—yes, another long name, had puppies.

Pris picked a puppy out of the litter for me and dubbed him Hitchcock Boy since that's where he'd be living. I was a Hitchcock Bluejay, living on the family farm 12 miles east of the town.
Hmm, I see a pattern here with bluejays. And I don't even like birds! Read about that fear here, here, and here.

I do own another bluejay shirt. The coveted Tabor College Intramural Champ T-shirt. Earning one of these in the '80s was a big deal. Maybe this post will find its way to a current TC student and I'll find out if that's still the case.

I couldn't have earned one of these my freshman year because I played, or should I say warmed the bench, on the women's team, so I wasn't eligible to play intramural basketball. But one of the following years, my team won. I remember Maura Janzen and maybe Darcie Wilkins being on my team.

Back in those days, Maurice's was my clothing store of choice, and I still fit into a loose top from there. I think Mom paid $15 for the sleeveless, two-pocket, curvy collared shirt. It's super short on me now and shows my belly button, but it sure is comfy.

I use an old Florida sailboat T-shirt in the same way. Got that from my sister Brenda after one of her trips there with her first husband John. She knew I had a thing for sailboats. I collected figurines and enjoyed pictures of them. A strange interest for a landlocked girl who's never been on a sailboat.

The last shirt of value to me is now my painting shirt. It was a graduation present from my high school friend Bruce Pageler. It's of Garfield saying, "I'm not just another pretty face." Bruce, two years my senior, was the first guy who ever referred to me as pretty. That shirt will never end up in the rag drawer.

Any sentimental clothing in your drawers? What made you keep it? Can you fit in it? Do you own a t-shirt quilt displaying all the teams you've been a member of?